Rumour: Media companies receive Apple Tablet specs

Apple has reportedly met with major US publishers, including The New York Times and Wired's parent company Condé Nast, to discuss the future of digital media – perhaps floated by a touchscreen tablet. Now Australian media companies appear to be in talks with Apple, too.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Australian media companies have received specifications of Apple's tablet. However, the Herald said that none of its sources would go on the record (presumably because they are barred by a non-disclosure agreement.)

Corroborating previous Apple tablet rumours, The Herald says the device is "tipped to be a larger version of the iPhone," with a strong focus on e-reader capabilities.

The Herald's report trails a video making rounds on the web yesterday, in which the NYT editor Bill Keller alluded to an "impending Apple slate" during his keynote speech discussing digital strategies. Keller declined to comment when Wired requested clarification on the remark; he responded, "I ain't sayin'" to All Things Digital.

Nevertheless, to date there's a heap of independent reports citing anonymous sources who claim a media-centric Apple tablet is due out early next year. To keep up with the news and rumours, read our previous round-up aggregating rumour reports about the Apple tablet.